Chapter 15: Marksmanship (Please keep reading)

Teaching Building No. 3, Private Office

Wu Kang sat in his ergonomic chair, eating a large takeout nutritional meal while looking at the list on the monitor in front of him.

"Ten martial arts classes in the senior year. Eight of them from our Class 3 made it into the elite class."

"That puts us in third place among all classes."

"It looks like my bonus this time will be quite substantial."

Thinking of this, Wu Kang flashed a smile, then his gaze shifted to the name "Lin Qi."

"That kid... I really misjudged him. To think he actually made it into the elite class. Talk about a slap in the face."

"It's better that he went in. Once he leaves an irresponsible teacher like me, his talent will likely be better utilized."

"After all, that new teacher is extremely responsible."

Wu Kang put down his chopsticks and took a sip of soup, speaking indifferently.

...

Top Floor, Teaching Building No. 1, Principal's Office

The space exceeded 500 square meters, spacious and bright, furnished with luxurious black desks and chairs, sofas, an office desk, and tall bookshelves.

A peculiar fragrance wafted through the air. A flowerpot sat on the desk, yet it contained not a hint of greenery.

A burly, thick-haired middle-aged man leaned back in a black ergonomic chair. A 3D projection of a data table containing fifty names was displayed before him.

"They are the fifty best students in our Second High School. All of them are good prospects."

Jiang Zhiguang looked at the list, picked up a small white watering can, and gave the flowerpot a little water.

"Although our Second High School is one of the key middle schools in Tianhai City..."

"Our overall strength is in the lower tier. Every year, our results can't compete with First High School and the others."

"Even if we can't beat them, we can't keep being at the bottom."

"We can't go on like this. The senior year is critical. The stronger we can become, the higher our future ceiling will be."

"That is why I invited you here. Use every means at your disposal to properly instruct these geniuses."

Jiang Zhiguang looked toward the man sitting on the sofa—a burly man radiating a beast-like aura.

The man interlaced his fingers and grinned. "Since you've invited me, I certainly won't let you down."

"I just wonder if there are any truly exceptional talents among these little brats?"

...

Chiqiong Martial Arts Gym, Room A-128

"Bang! Bang!!"

In the center of the martial arts room, two figures clad in protective gear collided with full force.

Guo Heng's arm muscles bulged as he exerted sudden force, unleashing a series of tiger-claw strikes. Intense blood qi surged through his fingertips, aiming to tear through the air.

Feeling the surge of air currents, Lin Qi's eyes burned with focus. Every one of Guo Heng's attacking movements became crystal clear in his vision.

He dodged rapidly, as agile as a cat, allowing him to evade many of the attacks.

When he couldn't dodge, he moved to block.

Attacking with full strength, he drove with his legs, lunging forward like a fierce tiger.

"Bang!!"

Blood qi erupted from his spine, his muscles expanding. Using his waist to drive the force, his blood flowed like a waterfall as his arms swung in coordination with the tiger claws.

Black Tiger Plucks the Heart!

Every strike was at full power, strength bursting through his arms and tiger claws as the two sides collided rapidly.

"Bang! Bang!!"

Pain rang out continuously through his arms, yet Lin Qi's expression remained unchanged as he dodged, blocked, and counterattacked.

He possessed a cold, solemn temperament, moving almost like a robot.

A few minutes later.

"Bang!"

With a loud crash, Lin Qi was knocked back several steps before stabilizing his stance.

The man opposite him also retreated two steps before stopping. He removed his helmet, revealing a handsome face drenched in sweat.

"That's enough!"

"Whew~"

Guo Heng panted heavily, sweat sliding down his cheeks and into his mouth, while white steam continuously rose from his protective suit.

"Are you... not tired?"

Guo Heng asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead while gasping for air.

Lin Qi removed his helmet, and a torrent of liquid spilled out.

*Drip!*

Sweat fell from the helmet onto the floor. Lin Qi's hair clung to his scalp as if he had just been pulled from water; the only sound was his heavy breathing.

"Tired!"

"I can tell."

Looking at Lin Qi, Guo Heng was secretly shocked. *His blood qi value is lower than mine, and his strength is two or three hundred kilograms less, yet he can actually persist this long. This willpower is incredible.*

*Moreover, his reactions and awareness are far beyond those of an ordinary person.*

*Lin Qi, you are quite extraordinary.*

*Whether it's blood qi or the Tiger Form Fist, you are inferior to me.*

*But in fighting you, I can't gain any advantage at all. It's truly strange.*

*You and Jiang Tao are indeed geniuses; you are worthy of being my friends.*

*If you have difficulties in the future, you can come to me.*

"Thanks, Young Master Guo!"

Jiang Tao, who was resting nearby, thanked him with a smile.

Lin Qi nodded, suppressing his fatigue, and took a large gulp of a functional drink from Jiang Tao.

As Guo Heng took off his protective suit, he spoke

"I have things to do today, so I'll be leaving first."

"The content for the next sparring session will switch to weapons. Get proficient with weapons as soon as possible; don't disappoint me."

With that, Guo Heng grabbed his clothes and walked into the restroom.

A few minutes later, after washing up, Guo Heng suddenly added

"By the way, there are still 40 minutes left before this martial arts room's time is up. You can use it freely."

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao, who were sitting and resting, looked delighted. Once Guo Heng left, only the two of them remained in the martial arts room.

"Brother Qi, your Tiger Form Fist has already reached Great Completion. Just like Guo Heng said, we should focus our attention on weapons now."

"After all, in the College Entrance Examination, cold weapons are the only item ranked just below blood qi value."

"When we step onto the battlefield in the future, we will also have to use weapons to kill Calamity Beasts."

After speaking, Jiang Tao stood up, walked straight to the wall, and took a training saber from a mounted rack.

*Swish! Swish!!*

With a casual swing, the long saber traced patterns in the air, as sharp saber techniques were unleashed from his hands.

His fist techniques had long since reached Great Completion; he was already practicing saber techniques.

Lin Qi set down the empty functional drink bottle and slowly stood up.

After resting for a few minutes, his exhausted body had recovered a fair amount of strength.

"Yeah, the small test is over. It's time to practice the spear again."

For an entire week, Lin Qi had devoted himself entirely to the Roundness Stance and the Tiger Form Fist.

He hadn't touched a spear even once.

Since entering high school, he had been practicing the Roundness Stance, Tiger Form, and spear techniques all together.

Lin Qi walked to the wall, where six training spears were arranged neatly on a black metal wall.

He took one of them. It was two point seven meters long, with a rounded, unsharpened tip and a red tassel.

His gaze locked onto the panel.

【Name: Lin Qi (17)】 【Template: Erlang Zhenjun · Yang Jian】 【Integration: 2%】 【Spear Technique: Tier 1, 60%】 【Movement Technique: Tier 1, 57%】 ...

For a week, there had been no change in his spear or movement techniques.

It was time to improve them.

With that thought, his eyes sharpened. Gripping the long spear, he held it without a grip at the base, pressing it against his waist, and began to execute the spear techniques.

*Swish! Swish!!*

His right wrist flipped, his lower abdomen rolled with his trailing hand, his leading hand parried, and he settled into a horse stance.

In an instant, the spear thrust out, the shaft vibrating as his body stepped forward.

With a twist of the waist, his shoulder aligned with the spear, and his horse stance transitioned into a bow stance.

Block, Parry, Stab...

The fundamental spear skills were executed in an instant, the long spear carving perfect arcs through the air, piercing the atmosphere.

Lin Qi then varied the technique. He had practiced the basic spear techniques countless times; they were etched into his very being.

Every move was executed one after another.

Starting from Block, Parry, and Stab, moving through Burst, Chop, Thrust, Sweep, Entwine, Lift, Poke, and Guard...

He thoroughly demonstrated the fundamental spear techniques.

The Basic Spear Technique was a set of moves derived by the Xia Country martial arts community from ancient spear methods to provide a foundation for martial arts novices.

It consisted of thirty-six forms, encompassing all fundamental moves.

All advanced spear techniques were derived from these basic forms.

Despite a week without training, Lin Qi's execution of the spear techniques remained as fluid as flowing water.

The key points of the techniques constantly surfaced in his mind, and his execution became increasingly proficient.

【You have gained new insights into the Basic Spear Technique, Spear Technique +2%】 【You have practiced the Basic Spear Technique and gained new understanding, Spear Technique +2%】 【Through practicing the Basic Spear Technique, you have become increasingly proficient, Spear Technique +1%】 【Spear Technique: Tier 1, 60% → 65%】 ...

(End of Chapter)